At the end of World War II, the imminence and extent of threats, namely Stalin’s regime, the Berlin blockade, the Czech coup and the expansion of communism, obliged the West to join forces and organise a common defence. That is how NATO was created and the founding treaty was signed in Washington on 4 April 1949.
Seventy years later, security issues are both more numerous and diversified, as is shown by the various hybrid warfare modus operandi used in a very coordinated way after the Ukrainian crisis in 2014, namely cyber attacks, disinformation or proxy warfare. With new technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing fast entering the defence domain, the role, function, method and structure of the Alliance must undergo radical change if deterrence and collective defence is to remain credible. Moreover, as the NATO-EU strategic partnership becomes increasingly important for the conduct of transatlantic relations, it entails a vital clarification of the division of roles between the two organisations.
We will be pleased to welcome Prof. Dr. Louis Gautier and Dr. Bruno Tertrais, both specialists of European and Atlantic defence issues. They will share their analysis of NATO’s role in Europe, and of the Euro-Atlantic strategic partnership since 1949 in particular. What assessment can be made of NATO’s achievements during the last 70 years? What security challenges is the Atlantic Alliance to be faced with? Is NATO an obstacle or an asset for European defence? What security challenges is the European defence to be faced with? These are some of the questions our speakers will answer to.
This conference will take place on Thursday 24 October 2019 at 17:00 hours in the conference centre of the Campus Renaissance (entrance: rue Hobbema 8, 1000 Brussels). The lecture will be given in French with simultaneous translation into Dutch and English. Parking is available on the Cinquantenaire esplanade in front of the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History. We are looking forward to welcoming you and kindly ask you to confirm your participation by registering online on the RHID’s website: www.rhid.be.
Pre-registration is mandatory to access the premises and must reach us not later than Tuesday 22 October 2019.
Programme:
16:30 : Registration
17:00 : Conference and Q & A
18:30 - 19:30 : Reception